Update from my little corner in the Old City of Damascus

My great friend John Wreford lives in Damascus, he could have left but he is still there, this is a recent update from him

Friday in the Old City was completely deserted, hardly a shop open, the only people about were local residents, generally things were calmer around most of the city, the rubbish that had not been collected for a couple of days and was beginning to reek was being cleared, Raslan, Osama, and Hasan the kids in my alley were using wheelbarrows to cart it off elsewhere, as night fell there were still echoes of what was going on further away, a gun battle that sounded quite close only lasted a few minutes then very little.

Around 2.30 Am I heard a sound that pleased me more than I can say, a sound that in previous years had annoyed the hell out of me, the banging drum of Abu Tableh, the human alarm clock, letting everyone know it was time to prepare the pre-dawn meal before a long day of fasting, Ramadan has arrived, the children in my alley all ran out to greet him, nothing is normal anymore in Damascus but Syrians are resilient and determined, they will persevere and they overcome this terrible situation.

Ramadan Kareem

Stay safe John.